Anyone who wrote book proposals is familiar with rejection and it’s the same when it comes to script proposals, still don’t “die hard” trying. One may never know, imagine with this article one learns how to write a script proposal, with just a few great actors, a quality story, the budget could be low that all it needs is a farming area that won’t make the film or series look grainy or corny. I mean let’s face it, even the Titanic couldn’t avoid Spielberg, one never knows where their script could end up, maybe in Kansas?
Making a film/script proposal is a pitch to investors, potential funders and production companies to invest in the film project. A film proposal can be anywhere from a 2 to 60-page document. It requires as many details as possible to put in a concise and dynamic format so that the funders can envision the project clearly through all angles especially if the script proposal has many elements and details that are clear and well written influencing the investors. This is important because the film industry brings in $40 billion a year with 41% coming from the top 20 movies. This landscape is changing quickly with streaming services such as Netflix being just 1 example.
There is a lot of money that goes into making movies and series this is why it takes a lot of time and effort to have the selected few out of dozens be the choice for investors, funders or production companies. When funders, investors and production companies look at funding the project and its budget they already have a certain eye for detail after all the funding is coming from somewhere and the movie or series should have a successful turnover from what is being invested.
How to write a script proposal. Every script proposal contains a treatment whether it’s a film proposal or series.
How to write a script proposal. This is everything you need to know.
1) Title of the series or film
This is the title of the film or the series. This element has to encapsulate the entire idea. Remember the series lost, Dawson’s creek, Seinfeld, Friends or the movie Wonder woman. Some of the names here reached over a billion dollars and some close. The logline and title are a key part of the sales offer. Remember production companies, funders, and investors receive a lot of people approaching them, the logline and title should stand out and capture the attention immediately before the proposal becomes a quick disinterest and ends up in the rejection pile.
2) A logline
This is 3 -6 lines, that give a short summary of the protagonist or the challenge of the story leaving the plot intriguing but not entirely revealed. Make this very succulent as this is the bait/catch and the ingredient to have the script proposal still in the hands of the reader.
3) Key characters
Provide detailed information about the characters. Paint the picture of the supporting characters and the main characters. Humanise the characters so that the investors, funders or production company representatives can understand it in simple terminology. Using short and effective language to give as much of a clear idea as to how each character is so that they can easily catch onto why, where, what, how, who, and when blends in to create the full picture and plot. Break down the characters in 2-3 lines and demonstrate their role in the plot.
4) A complete description of the proposed film/series
– History (Synopsis)
Keep the reader interested in the story, and intrigue without giving away too much of the plot. Keep the reader wondering about the possible scenarios in the plot. Make it imaginative in that the story has a direction where it’s going especially when it comes to a series.
Divide this into the 3 acts which every screenplay has i.e.,
- Introduction
- Conflict
- Resolution
These three points help the investors look at it from a short, sweet perspective and are easily outlined. By keeping the 3 acts compelling and aligned to the screenplay it makes it simple yet juicy so that it’s easily digestible yet even better, keeping the funders, investors or production companies interested.
– Audience
How to write a script proposal is much like a book proposal on this point. Knowing the script like the back of one’s hand makes it easier to know exactly who the audience is, and this helps further when it comes to the genre. By putting oneself in the audience’s shoes it’s good to ask what kind of preference one has in movies and where this script fits in.
5) Treatment
This helps to identify the experience the audience will have in detail through sound, the style of the story, the budget needed to create scenes or an atmosphere whether it’s going back in time for example and the garments worn to bring to life that point of time. This is a 4 -10-page document. There is an article on the treatment as a topic on its own. It can be accessed here.
- Cast and crew
- Storytelling style
- Scene by scene summary (especially for series)
- Visual material
6) Write your script proposal in active voice
This article will demonstrate all the reasons why in how to write a script proposal in active voice is essential https://tdenchpatel.com/why-write-in-active-voice-rather-than-passive/.
7) Mention previous works
This one, most people override on how to write a script proposal. This is an important detail to note down especially if the work is varied in different categories such as books, documentaries or anything relating to the film industry in any way that shows creativity and why one has so much insight and passion for the project. It goes to show that there is a lot more than the scriptwriter knows and considers beyond just the art of writing.
8) Know your script like the back of your hand
How to write a script proposal is (as one already knows) not the only place where a lot of research, detail and intention needs placing, it also has to aim well enough. The entire process in any writing project is not only the part where one is creating the work just like sales, books, scripts, products or services the aftermath, meaning the next steps are important, especially in the time taken to invent and create the idea in bringing it to life. All that time sure as well needs a bit more consistency and the extra mile to get a sponsor, investor, production company, or publisher to buy into it (the idea) so it better be worth it. Knowing the script like the back of your hand prepares the writer for extensive interrogation by potential funders or investors after submitting the proposal. Only the writer will know the reason behind their creative choices, style and storytelling. Stand in conviction to the reasons why so that the right backers are on board.
9) Add a sample of the storyboard
Take a look at my upcoming article on how to create a storyboard for a movie or TV show. In how to write a script proposal adding a small piece of the storyboard helps the potential funders, and backers to visualise the scene and shows dedication as well.
10) Add in your casting wish list
This helps the potential backers to have an idea of the resources they require and where this element fits into the budget. Production companies may even have their contacts and network of actors, actresses and extras available at hand. The description of the characters and the physical attributes helps a lot especially if there is a comparison which can inspire and help envision the script from another angle. This also helps potential backers to understand where the idea is going visually.
11) Mention any other collaborators or actors that are onboard
Perhaps you already have a few people ready to work with you on the project, perhaps even from previous projects. Perhaps you already found the perfect protagonist. Let potential backers know and perhaps even mention how hard it was to find this particular fit of actors or collaborators.
12) Mention the resources needed that help with the budget
This is the most difficult part of the proposal, where one begins with making the script a reality in production. What is needed to make the movie but not only make the movie, but also to make it successful? This is the part where the scriptwriter will make it or break it. It’s hard to say exactly why the proposal can get rejected yet at the same time this part of the proposal depends much on the “why” the scriptwriter is passionate about this project. If one wants it, they will find a way and will do what is necessary to lay out the budget with the best intention and somehow make it of high quality on not such an elaborate budget especially if this is the career the scriptwriter wants to succeed in. It’s a good idea to approach other professionals in the industry to nail this part of the proposal including getting the help of financial experts. How one can lower the production cost expense for more “expensive” scenes can be weighed up nicely if everything is down to the T on this part of the proposal, not to mention the script can also be altered.
13) Proofread and format your proposal
Similar to book proposals, or writing an email, writing a cover letter, drawing up a CV, writing an article, the correct format must be adhered to, and on some submissions, the publishing companies state how they want to receive the submission. In general, research the format that is required for each of the submissions that you want to make. Ensure that it is free from errors and spelling. Ensure the subheadings, references of other current films, materials or footnotes are formatted correctly. Ensure the grammar is correct.
Alright! You’re set. Here are some sites that can help you even further on how to write a script proposal in case I may have missed something.
http://blog.filmboardmovies.com/how-to-write-a-film-proposal/
The article below is very good. It goes into:
- How to write a TV show proposal
- How to format a movie script
- How to submit an idea for a cartoon series
- How to send your script to comedy central writers
- How to write for HGTV
- How to write a treatment for a reality TV show
https://penandthepad.com/write-tv-show-proposal-7690514.html
https://www.wrapbook.com/blog/how-to-write-a-film-proposal
I bet after this article you have mastered how to write a script proposal. Send me some free tickets to the premier okay. I can rate it, and if I can meet you in person, then even better, who knows… maybe we will make the next best thing that our audience has been waiting for, for a long, long time that even pets, and wildlife will enjoy it without hitting paws…
This article has hopefully ended the Rocky relationship era with some more amazing films and series on the way in the future. I look forward to seeing the future of film and TV and being a part of it…
You can also have a look at How to write a script proposal short video.
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In the next article, I will be going into writing of loglines and taglines.
Yours sincerely
T. Dench Patel
